What is "gelatin"?

Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, a natural protein found in animal connective tissue and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food and beverage production due to its ability to form a gel-like structure when dissolved in water and cooled. Gelatin is typically derived from animal sources such as pork skin, beef hide, or bovine bones, although there are also vegetarian and vegan alternatives available made from plant-based sources like agar-agar or carrageenan. In food and beverage applications, gelatin is used to create a variety of products, including gelatin desserts, marshmallows, gummy candies, fruit-flavored snacks, and certain dairy products like yogurt and cream cheese. It is widely used in food and beverage manufacturing and is regulated by food authorities to ensure its safety for consumption.